PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tera Laaksonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Markku Murikka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Laaksonen kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Heikki Kuula & Voli - Viimeinen Tango. This should be fireworks!

Laaksonen
vs
Murikka

184 cm
18
250 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

190 cm
22
280 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tera Laaksonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Markku Murikka!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Laaksonen scores with a nice body kick.
Murikka stuffs the takedown attempt from Laaksonen. Laaksonen gets slowly back to his feet.
Murikka keeps the fight on the outside.
Laaksonen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Laaksonen fails with a takedown attempt.
Laaksonen misses with a wild combination.
Laaksonen lands with a shot to the body.
Murikka looks gassed!
Murikka misses with a wild body shot.

Laaksonen moves into the clinch.
Laaksonen jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Murikka walks away with a smile on his face. Laaksonen gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tera Laaksonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Murikka keeps the fight on the outside.

Laaksonen shoots in and bounces Murikka off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Laaksonen has gone for a leg lock! Murikka slips out almost immediately though and dives into Laaksonen's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laaksonen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Murikka's guard.
Murikka is looking to stand up but Laaksonen isn't so interested in that idea.
Laaksonen slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Murikka keeping moving, preventing Laaksonen from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Murikka wants to get back to his feet but Laaksonen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Laaksonen wants to control from the top but Murikka keeps moving.
Murikka preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laaksonen wants to control from the top but Murikka keeps moving.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Laaksonen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Laaksonen keeps Murikka at a distance using the push kick.

Laaksonen shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Murikka manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Laaksonen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Murikka works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Laaksonen trying to control but Murikka is working from the bottom.
Laaksonen prevents Murikka from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murikka keeping full guard, as Laaksonen tries to pass.
Laaksonen postures up in Murikka's guard and throws a big left but Murikka blocks it.
Laaksonen advances to half guard.

Laaksonen is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Murikka looks like he's trying to stand up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Murikka kicks Laaksonen off and gets back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tera Laaksonen dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Laaksonen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Murikka as he avoids it easily.
Laaksonen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Murikka stuffs the takedown.
A combination from Murikka does no damage.
Laaksonen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Murikka.
Murikka tries to bum rush Laaksonen with a series of wild strikes but Laaksonen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Murikka throws a right and a left that Laaksonen avoids nicely.
Murikka tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Laaksonen is able to avoid easily.
Laaksonen moves in looking to clinch but Murikka pushes him off.
Laaksonen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Murikka on the wrong end of a nice hook.

It looks like Markku Murikka has been cut.
Laaksonen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Murikka paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Laaksonen is defended easily by Murikka.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tera Laaksonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Laaksonen thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Murikka if he has to take too many more of those.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laaksonen shoots in and drives through. Murikka sprawls well.
Murikka tries to clinch up
and Laaksonen counters with a head kick.
Murikka misses with a looping left.

Laaksonen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Murikka keeping moving, preventing Laaksonen from controlling successfully.
Murikka is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Murikka has eaten all the pies!
Laaksonen trying to control but Murikka is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Murikka pushes Laaksonen off and gets back to his feet.
Laaksonen throws a head kick that misses.
Markku Murikka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Laaksonen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Murikka sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Laaksonen somewhat.
Murikka lands a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laaksonen takes one to the side of the head.
Laaksonen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Laaksonen takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Murikka throws a series of punches but Laaksonen avoids them all with ease.
Tera Laaksonen is winning the standup battle so far.
Murikka fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Laaksonen throws a front kick that sends Murikka stumbling back into the cage.
Laaksonen tries for a takedown but Murikka sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Murikka on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Murikka needs to keep his hands up - Laaksonen had a free shot at his head there.
Murikka misses with a combination

and Laaksonen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Laaksonen stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Murikka to get to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laaksonen doesn't manage to clinch there - Murikka circles away.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Laaksonen here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
A lazy body kick from Murikka

and Laaksonen counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Murikka's guard now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Murikka is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Laaksonen pushes down on Murikka's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Murikka pushes Laaksonen off looking to stand but Laaksonen dives back in and keeps control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Laaksonen decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tera Laaksonen dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Markku Murikka's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Murikka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Laaksonen was well out of range. Poor timing from Murikka.
Murikka misses with a wild body shot.
Laaksonen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Laaksonen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Murikka's waist but Murikka gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Laaksonen off to one side.
Laaksonen tries to close the distance and clinch but Murikka swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Laaksonen swats away the attempt to clinch by Murikka.
Laaksonen slaps away a takedown attempt from Murikka, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laaksonen shoots in but no luck this time.
Laaksonen closes the distance but Murikka moves to the side
enabling Murikka to counter with a crisp jab.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Laaksonen.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tera Laaksonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murikka misses with a double jab.
Murikka throws a nice looking combination but Laaksonen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Laaksonen tries to clinch but Murikka moves away
and Murikka counters with a left and a right that stings Laaksonen.

Laaksonen pushes Murikka up against the cage in a clinch.
Laaksonen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Murikka smiles and moves away.
Murikka lands a jab-cross combination.
Murikka falls off balance throwing a combination
and Laaksonen counters with a series of strikes. Murikka will be more careful next time no doubt.
Nice body kick there by Laaksonen.
Laaksonen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Murikka tries to avoid it but Laaksonen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Murikka to the ground. Murikka escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Markku Murikka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murikka fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Laaksonen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Laaksonen tries for a takedown but Murikka sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Laaksonen doesn't manage to clinch there - Murikka circles away.
Laaksonen closes the distance and clinches up with Murikka, looking for a takedown. Laaksonen pushes Murikka against the cage but Murikka circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Murikka cracks Laaksonen with a good jab.
Murikka tries to clinch up but Laaksonen circles away and keeps his distance.
Laaksonen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Laaksonen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Murikka defends it nicely.
Laaksonen walks into a stiff left hand from Murikka.
Murikka has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Laaksonen.
Murikka will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murikka thows a body shot but no joy.
Murikka tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Laaksonen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Laaksonen fails with an attempt to clinch.
No luck for Laaksonen with that takedown attempt.
Laaksonen tries to clinch there but Murikka circles away.
A jab lands there for Murikka.
Laaksonen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Laaksonen.
Murikka lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Tera Laaksonen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laaksonen throws a combination that misses
and Murikka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Murikka tries to score a power double leg takedown but Laaksonen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Murikka somewhat.
Laaksonen tries to clinch up but Murikka circles away and keeps his distance.
Murikka throws a jab but it's blocked by Laaksonen.
No luck for Laaksonen with that takedown attempt.
Laaksonen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Murikka swivels and escapes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Laaksonen takes one on the button.
A head kick by Murikka misses
and Laaksonen counters with a leg kick.
Laaksonen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Murikka defends it nicely.
Murikka connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Markku Murikka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Laaksonen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tera Laaksonen!